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What are you willing to see the Pacers pay to keep Lance?

Lot of discussion about Lance's upcoming contract this offseason. Personally I think his value will become clear in the postseason in terms of what he will likely get paid, ie how players perform in the playoffs often go along ways in determining payouts (reference Hibbert 2 seasons ago and Paul last season - both had huge postseason performances that increased their value).

Its been posted by some that we should pay Lance whatever it takes to keep him in a pacers uniform. I think that's out of the realm of possibility for a small market franchise but to even suggest Lance get paid more than DWEST to me is just nonsense imho.

I know we got several lance threads but simply interested in what many on here feel comfortable with seeing the Pacers pay to Lance this upcoming offseason.

Until I see Lance mature on several levels, esp in regards to him making smart passes as opposed to SC highlight passes I am not ready to see the Pacers commit 20% of their cap room to born ready. Albeit I hope he is back next season, I don't believe this Franchise can afford to invest a significant portion of cap space and still have a competitive roster, specifically as it pertains to the bench.

Re: What are you willing to see the Pacers pay to keep Lance?

I know I am in the minority, but I think Lance is a big time benficiary of the system and players around him. Don't get me wrong, he is a good player, but at times he can self distruct and his aggressiveness can hurt the team. I like Lance and would be comfortable re-signing him at about a 7-8 million dollar pricepoint, but any more than that? See ya.

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Re: What are you willing to see the Pacers pay to keep Lance?

When I look at questions like this, I look at the "market" and what similar players at the same position are making.

I look at guys like Demar Derozan, Aaron Afflalo, and Wes Matthews are making and I think that somewhere between 8 and 10 Million makes the most sense. When we start talking about paying another guy more than 9-10 Mil/yr on a team that already has a few high priced guys and has to watch the bottom line closely, then it makes it tough.

Lance is obviously playing at a high level this year and has been really impressive. But at the same time, (as other posters have pointed out) I think he benefits by the players he's playing with.

If we do end up paying Lance more than $10 mil/yr, then we will need to get used to seeing the type of bench that we saw last year, because we would be lucky to be able to afford that moving forward.

Re: What are you willing to see the Pacers pay to keep Lance?

Re: What are you willing to see the Pacers pay to keep Lance?

Assuming he keeps up this level of play (currently 13.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 5.2 apg), I see his salary floor as $10 million/year. As I mentioned in another thread, Lance's average stats are very similar to Nicolas Batum's, who signed a 4-year, $44 million contract last year. So I see Lance getting a similar deal.

Re: What are you willing to see the Pacers pay to keep Lance?

Until I see Lance mature on several levels, esp in regards to him making smart passes as opposed to SC highlight passes I am not ready to see the Pacers commit 20% of their cap room to born ready. Albeit I hope he is back next season, I don't believe this Franchise can afford to invest a significant portion of cap space and still have a competitive roster, specifically as it pertains to the bench.

When have the Sports Center highlight passes ever cost the Pacers a game? He usually only does them when we are blowing a team out, which makes it seem like he does it all the time since we are always bulldozing teams. But when we're playing a close game against a top opponent, he is much more secure with the ball. The two games against the Heat this year are a perfect example. He only had 2 turnovers in each of those games. That's very good considering the Heat play very suffocating defense against the Pacers. I don't remember Lance doing anything overly stupid in either of those games, which tells me that he understands that there is a time and place for the Sports Center passes. If dumb passes from Lance cost us a game against the Heat, then I'll be the first to criticize him. But it hasn't happened yet. You can be confident that Vogel has made it very clear to him that there is a time and place for the showy passes.

I could care less if he has a couple of dumb turnovers when we're up 20 against the Wizards. He's just trying to entertain the crowd and give them something fun to go home with.

Re: What are you willing to see the Pacers pay to keep Lance?

My question: Are you guys willing to get rid of Scola this summer to make the $ work, if that's what it takes?

Yes because Scola is only going to get slower and even more un-athletic. I like Scola a great deal and would have loved to have him on this team for a multi-year deal several years ago. Lance makes the second unit go, and he is young. There are plenty of bigs out there who could be had for cheaper deals who can also hit the pick and pop mid range. We are paying Scola around 6 million this year? Heck I'd imagine that Copeland will come in and play the back up 4 spot next year and give us the same production.

I'd like to see the Pacers get a bit younger or more athletic at the back up 4 spot.

Re: What are you willing to see the Pacers pay to keep Lance?

Those two statements cancel eachother out at some point. Lance isn't good enough to receive "whatever it takes" type of money. If some team foolishly throws near max money at him, we don't need to offer the same amount. If we did, then we see a lot of changes to the roster, and we become a team with a few high priced good players, and zero depth.

Re: What are you willing to see the Pacers pay to keep Lance?

My question: Are you guys willing to get rid of Scola this summer to make the $ work, if that's what it takes?

I wouldn't like it but I would be willing to. I don't think Scola has a long-term place on the team. His veteran savvy and scoring are nice, but not at the cost of a major contributor like Lance. Scola is replaceable.

Re: What are you willing to see the Pacers pay to keep Lance?

Those two statements cancel eachother out at some point. Lance isn't good enough to receive "whatever it takes" type of money. If some team foolishly throws near max money at him, we don't need to offer the same amount. If we did, then we see a lot of changes to the roster, and we become a team with a few high priced good players, and zero depth.

But at the same time, the Miami Heat sign talented guys who want to chase a ring to minimum contracts. So if the Pacers make it to the finals this year, then there will be plenty of talent wanting to come chase a ring in Indiana for a year or two.

Re: What are you willing to see the Pacers pay to keep Lance?

My question: Are you guys willing to get rid of Scola this summer to make the $ work, if that's what it takes?

Yes. To me, at some point we need to address our lack of athletic 4 man. D.West is getting older, and Scola will only get worse at this point. Scola at $4.5 mil this yr is okay. But Scola at 4.6 mil next year is a bit steep only because I imagine that at some point the wheels will completely fall off.

Re: What are you willing to see the Pacers pay to keep Lance?

But at the same time, the Miami Heat sign talented guys who want to chase a ring to minimum contracts. So if the Pacers make it to the finals this year, then there will be plenty of talent wanting to come chase a ring in Indiana for a year or two.

The only talented player they've been able to sign has been Ray Allen. And he's getting paid 3.15 mil a yr..not a minimum contract.

The guys on minimum contracts; Birdman, Rashard Lewis, Michael Beasely, Greg Oden all came with baggage or injury concerns and probably needed the Heat as much as the Heat needed them.

Re: What are you willing to see the Pacers pay to keep Lance?

Those two statements cancel eachother out at some point. Lance isn't good enough to receive "whatever it takes" type of money. If some team foolishly throws near max money at him, we don't need to offer the same amount. If we did, then we see a lot of changes to the roster, and we become a team with a few high priced good players, and zero depth.

The difference between $10 mil and $14 mil is $4 million. Copeland makes $3 mil last year. Green made $3.5 mil last year. Are we really going to balk at re-signing Lance just so we can have some extra money to throw at a guy who could potentially be a bench warmer? Spending a bit extra on Lance is a much better investment.